Do cockchafers sting or bite? The intimidating sharp point at the tip of a cockchafer’s abdomen is not a sting, but a pygidium – used by females to push their eggs deep into the soil.

Are cockchafers harmful to humans?

You can often see cockchafers on May evenings buzzing around the garden, which is why they are often known as the ‘May bug’. As large, noisy insects they can be a little frightening, but are actually harmless to humans. However, they can considerably damage garden plants and crops.

Do flying beetles bite?

A: The simple answer is, yes, they can. Beetles have chewing mouthparts so, technically, they can bite. Some species have well-developed jaws or mandibles used for catching and consuming prey. Others use these to defend themselves from predators.